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"Aren't you planning to live permanently in Stardew Valley?"
Leo heard Daiyousei's words and felt a pang of disappointment. She sounded like she was planning to check on a lonely old man occasionally. He liked the Little Fairies. They were innocent, lively, and cute—perfect spiritual comfort for an Old Hag like him.
"We are staying permanently!" Daiyousei smiled. "But Cirno's idea is to set up a Braves Guild in that forest cabin."
"Everyone will usually play in the forest. If you have a request, Big Brother, you can come to the Hero's Cabin to post it. Cirno will lead the Little Fairies out of the mountains to help you."
"Cirno learned this from listening to Meiling's stories. She's always wanted to try it."
Leo blinked. An Adventurer's Guild?
It sounded awesome. A base of operations hidden in the woods. When a quest appeared, the fairies would mobilize. Afterward, they'd return to the guild hall to drink... juice.
It was very atmospheric.
"Then do we need to contact Nitori to renovate that cabin?" Leo asked. "I took a look earlier. It's empty."
"Sigh, I'm worried about that too," Daiyousei sighed like an exhausted single mother. "Cirno makes decisions on a whim, but I have to handle the logistics. Compensation for damages... food costs... The things we find in the forest don't sell for much, and everyone hasn't had a full meal in a long time."
As the Mother of Fairies, Daiyousei carried the weight of the tribe on her small shoulders.
"How about this," Leo revealed his hand. "I'll pay for the renovations."
Daiyousei's eyes widened.
"In exchange: You help me water the plants every morning. You explore the valley and gather forage. Later, you help me harvest. As for food... I am the Food Fairy. I will feed you."
Leo's ultimate goal:
Open a kindergarten of cute children.
Be the only male in a world of cute girls.
Be woken up by beautiful maids (or fairies).
"Is that so?" Daiyousei beamed. "Okay! We don't have much to do anyway!"
With work and food secured, Daiyousei was satisfied. In Gensokyo, they scavenged for scraps. Here, they had a patron.
The Kitchen.
While waiting for the rice to steam, Leo and Daiyousei stood side by side at the window, watching the Little Fairies run wild in the yard.
Déjà vu. A perverted dad, a loli mom, and their hundred children.
Leo shook his head, dispelling the criminal thoughts. Daiyousei's maternal aura was just too strong.
Ding.
The rice was ready.
They began making rice balls.
Wet hands with cold water.
Scoop hot rice.
Shape into an oval.
Press a hole.
Brush with Strawberry Jam.
Insert fresh strawberries.
Seal and roll.
Simple. Efficient. Delicious.
Desperate times called for carb-loading.
"Cirno-chan! Come eat!"
Daiyousei opened the window.
Cirno, who was bragging to her minions about slaying the slime, immediately ran over. She opened her mouth like a baby bird.
"Awm~"
Daiyousei fed her the rice ball.
"Chew, chew... Delicious! Big Sis, do you have more? I'm hungry!"
"Still hungry? Yes, I do."
Daiyousei smiled benevolently. She picked up another rice ball. It's good to eat. Growing children need food.
"Awm~"
"Chew, chew... Big Sis, more!"
"Okay, Cirno. Eat freely."
...
"I'm full... thank you, Big Sis... I'm going to play..."
"Wait. Just one more. You look thin. We have Big Brother now, don't worry about the cost. Eat."
"But Big Sis... I really can't..."
"EAT."
While Daiyousei was force-feeding the Strongest Fairy, Leo was manning the other window like a cafeteria lady.
"Here you go." "Thank you, Food Fairy!" "Here you go." "Thank you!"
Leo's heart melted with every "Thank you."
"Wuwu! I really can't eat anymore! I'll burst!"
Cirno lay on the ground, panting. Half a rice ball hung from her mouth. Her belly was distended.
Daiyousei finally stopped. She looked at Cirno with satisfaction.
Good. She's fed.
She turned back to the counter.
"Huh? Is there no more rice?"
The massive pot was empty.
"Big Brother, I'll steam another pot," Daiyousei rolled up her sleeves. "I'll work to pay you back."
She mimicked Leo's actions perfectly.
Scoop rice. Wash. Add water. Pot in. Close lid. Set timer.
"This tool... the Rice Cooker... is so convenient!"
Daiyousei stared at the appliance with affectionate eyes.
No fire magic needed. No watching the pot. Just... click.
She really, really wanted one.